On a mid-October evening, Gene Burreson, who colleagues consider “one of maybe two of the most important figures in the field” of fish and shellfish pathology, stood before a room of resource managers, industry members, scientists, and family and humbly stated, “Although this award is only given to one person, science is not done alone. I’ve been lucky that I’ve always hired good people to work with me.”

As a Knauss Sea Grant Fellow with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species, I have been engaged in debates over possible invasive species management strategies. Rarely does a “simple” policy issue pass over my desk.

Working in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy, Knauss Fellow Abigail Graefe works within these gates (and beyond the Secret Service detail) that protect the official residence of the Vice President. In addition to brushing elbows with important people, Graefe is participating in the formation of the National Ocean Policy.